The effect of a partial bite raising splint on the occlusal face height:An x-ray cephalometric study in human adults

Abstract

20 patients (18 - 50 years) with pathological attrition of upper and/or lower anterior teeth were treated, as a temporary measure, by means of a partial chrome-cobalt splint covering the palatal surfaces of the six upper front teeth. Tantalum implants to provide reference points were placed in the basal portion of upper and lower jaw bones. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken with and without the splint at the beginning of treatment and thereafter every two months till the difference between measurements was as small as possible. Changes in the occlusal face height were evaluated. Measurement reliability proved to be very high. Continuous use of the splint caused intrusion of the front teeth and eruption of the others in all patients. The intrusion was on an average 1.05 mm and the eruption 1.47 mm after 6 - 14 months, indicating a possible potential for tooth eruption in human adults. More eruption than intrusion appeared to take place in the youngest age groups. Sexual differences could not be established. Use of the splint did not cause the common symptoms of mandibular dysfunction. Lisping was the most serious complaint.

The survival and clinical performance of resin–based composite restorations used to treat localised anterior tooth wear

“…39 However, many of the restorations showed some degree of wear and it is possible that this contributed to the re-establishment of some posterior occlusal contacts. The mean time of 7 months compares well with other studies 16,39 using cast metal bite planes but differing recall intervals could influence this conclusion. Just over a third of the subjects did not achieve posterior contacts in the premolar region during the study period.…”

“…15 Analysis of a further 20 subjects concluded that space creation anteriorly was achieved by a combination of anterior intrusion and posterior eruption taking place between 6 to 14 months. [16][17][18] Difficulties with chewing and speaking were reported but treatment was otherwise well tolerated.…”

Survival analysis of composite Dahl restorations provided to manage localised anterior tooth wear (ten year follow-up)

“…6 The authors reported a 100% success rate in achieving the desired interocclusal space in the subsequent 20 cases treated. The technique offered the obvious advantage in reducing the need to remove tooth tissue in order to accommodate any planned restorations.…”

Dental Erosion

“…However, when teeth wear, the alveolar bone and associated tissues adapt to some degree to change with alveolar compensation. 80 Despite losing crown height, teeth maintain their occlusal contact; this may lead to problems with respect to their reconstruction, because there is not enough space for the restorative material. To prevent an invasive, full-mouth rehabilitation, it can be beneficial to gain interocclusal space with orthodontic measures, especially if groups of teeth (for example, all the teeth in the anterior region) are involved in erosive tooth wear.…”